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 Robins – Nesting Questions from a Reader!
To: The Ornate Bird Garden,
I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciated the information on Robins you have posted on your web-pages. Just recently we have had a Robin build this magnificent nest next to a wall underneath an awning and upon a wide 5X5 wood-beam approximately 15 feet off the ground. I was absolutely delighted to notice the nest and the flurry of activity around its construction. I could not believe that any bird would build a nest so close to a window and so near prying human and pussycat eyes.
We all do our level best to give these lovely Robins the quiet and privacy they deserve, though they do not seem to be bothered in the least at our coming and going, as the nest is very near to the doors that we use most. The female Robin mostly just sits there calmly in her nest blinking, as we stare, each at the other, that is, when she is not off busy looking for a meal and or materials to augment the construction of her nest.
The other day upon arriving home I was devastated to see a tiny blue robins egg laying broken on the paving stones, I was heartbroken for this poor creature and was worried that they might now abandon the nest altogether. For days after I found the broken egg I did not see her. Of course it just may have been that she was elsewhere when I passed her nest, but I can always count on seeing her coming and going, however briefly, at least a few times a day regardless.
You cannot imagine how thrilled and relieved I was to see her again today sitting there in her little nest, proudly minding the fort. Since returning she has scarcely left the nest at all. Do you have any idea what could have caused that one little egg to end up broken on the ground? Do you think it may have been the victim of predation? The nest is in a place that it seems impossible, for a squirrel or some such animal (however determined) to access.
Thank you very much for posting the information on what to feed and what to make available to Robins to make their lives a little easier. I would never have thought of making a mud puddle, what a marvelous idea.
I also read that Robins can have 2 to 3 broods per season, and will abandon one nest after one brood has grown and flown off. They will then find a new location and begin building a new nest for the next set of eggs, is this true? If so what would you recommend I do? Do you think I should remove the old nest from that spot under my awning, in order to give them another chance to build a new nest on what seems to be a choice piece of real estate? Thank you very much for taking the time to read my email, again I very much appreciate the excellent information you posted on the Ornate Bird Garden web page.
Very best regards,
Michael V.
Toronto, Canada
PS. I really liked the pictures of your turtles; they are very beautiful indeed. What fascinating creatures they are; we are so fortunate to share this magnificent planet with them. One gets the impression that they are like the ancients of days, that they have seen and borne it all. So silent and stoic... in those eyes one perceives great wisdom and a depth of understanding, a knowing we can only hope to possess in some small measure one day. -M.V.
Hello, Michael,
thank you very much for your email! I had no idea that anyone was actually reading my Robin article, so that's wonderful to hear that it helped you! I myself am still learning a lot about robins, so I'm not entirely sure what could have happened to that one egg you mentioned.
It's interesting that whatever happened wasn't so traumatic that it scared the robins away. Possibly the egg embryo just didn't turn out to be viable for some reason. I know that birds can sense this (because I've seen my pet cockatiels reject unfertilized eggs over time), but I'm not sure how they sense it. Anyway, if this happened, maybe the robin pushed the egg out of the nest herself and then started the nesting process all over again.
I'd recommend leaving this nest alone after the robins are done with it: like you said, the location sounds like a great piece of bird real estate, and I think it's a given that robins will nest there again. The biggest attraction that I've found to bring robins swarming to my yard is water: specifically the sound of running water like a small fountain or even a dripping faucet. As long as you have water, you'll always have robins.
Thanks also for your compliments on my turtle photos! It sounds like you really understand the appeal of turtles -- they're fascinating little creatures. Thank you again, and have a great weekend!
Best,
K. at OrnateBirdGarden
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